3-member panel recommends four-fold hike in MLAs salaries

Salary and allowances of Delhi MLAs may see a whopping two-and-half fold hike from current Rs 88,000 per month to Rs 2.10 lakh if recommendations of an expert panel are accepted by the government.

The three-member committee chaired by former Secretary General of Lok Sabha PDT Achary, in its report submitted to Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, has favoured a 400 <g data-gr-id="22">per cent</g> hike in basic salary of MLAs from Rs 12,000 to Rs 50,000 per month. Overall, the hike recommended has been 138 <g data-gr-id="23">per cent</g>.

In July, a group of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators had demanded a significant hike in salary, arguing their earnings were not enough to run their family and offices.

“The committee has recommended <g data-gr-id="25">to increase</g> the existing salary of MLAs from Rs 12,000 per month to Rs 50,000 per month. Also, total salary and allowances of MLAs have been recommended to be enhanced from the present Rs 88,000 per month to Rs 2.10 lakh per month,” <g data-gr-id="20">Achary</g> told reporters.

The recommendations were made considering Constitutional provisions and their job profile, he said. Apart from basic salary, the committee has recommended hiking constituency allowance from current Rs 18,000 to Rs 50,000, saying the current amount was “grossly” inadequate.

A <g data-gr-id="19">reimbursible</g> sum of Rs 70,000 per month has also been recommended as allowance under ‘Secretarial, Research and Office Assistance’ head which is Rs 30,000 at present.